Detonations and Low-Altitude Jets Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Accounts surfaced of several blasts and the noise of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. This event has led to allegations from the Venezuelan government and requests for global action.
Venezuela Blames US of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist government has accused the United States of committing "foreign aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly authorized strikes against the Latin American nation. In an public announcement, the authorities stated that strikes had impacted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, notably its oil and resources," Venezuela asserted.
Caracas urged the world to censure the operations, which it described a "flagrant violation of international law" that endangered millions of civilians in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Sites Targeted
Locals described feeling roughly multiple detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. People in various districts reportedly ran into the open.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We heard explosions and aircraft in the sky," said one witness.
Smoke was reported rising from major army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Regional Response
The president of bordering Colombia, stated on X that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He requested an immediate emergency session of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, announced it would initiate operational plans at its shared border with Venezuela.
Background
The reported attacks follow a extended campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro government. Beginning in last summer, there has been a major US military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has stated "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all national defense measures to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign aggression."
American officials and the Defense Department did not immediately commented on inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.
